Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer’s injury has been confirmed to be a torn muscle fibre in his left calf, the club announced on Sunday, February 15.
There seems to be hope that the extent of the Manuel Neuer injury is not particularly drastic, but the soon-to-be 40-year-old’s backup, Jonas Urbig, will have to be between the sticks for at least the upcoming Bundesliga encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, February 21.
Manuel Neuer Injury: Uncertainty About Bayern Munich’s Goalkeeping Future
As we previously reported, there is a lot of doubt about who the next Bayern goalkeeper will be and how long Neuer will continue his career in Munich. While Urbig seems to be the chosen heir apparent for now, the young former Koln man certainly has very big shoes to fill.
Neuer’s contract expires this coming summer, and the legend will likely be able to decide his future himself, regarding whether or not he wants to go on for one more year. That will largely depend on how his health serves him.
From that point of view, things are hardly promising, given Neuer’s recent history of severe injuries.
Meanwhile, Urbig has been given some playing time, but he clearly needs much more of it to grow into his future role. From that standpoint, the Manuel Neuer injury could prove to be a chance.
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Incredible Pressure
Urbig’s rare performances have been put under the microscope since he arrived at the club a year ago. Many pundits have expressed doubt about the young keeper’s ability to be Bayern Munich’s long-term number one.
Last season, he made a decisive mistake in a league match against Union Berlin, and the same happened in the defeat to FC Augsburg more recently. Obviously, when a keeper makes an error, there is usually no one left to correct it, unlike in other positions.
For that reason, even a Man of the Match performance against PSV in the last UCL league phase game seems to have done little to prove the doubters wrong.
Obviously, those overpaid television talking heads are doing their job by criticising Bayern players, without regard for the naturally fragile confidence of a young man.
But be that as it may, the Manuel Neuer injury has brought Urbig back into the limelight. Bayern Munich players, regardless of age or position, need to have a thick skin.
As far as Urbig is concerned, his media performances regarding the Manuel Neuer injury have been good. He has extended his best wishes to the Bayern number one for a quick return to health. Urbig has also refused to be drawn into a discussion about his and Neuer’s futures.
Much more importantly, the young keeper performed well after being substituted into the weekend game against Werder Bremen, thus letting his performances on the pitch do the talking for him.
The Manuel Neuer injury has certainly added urgency for the club to solve its goalkeeping dilemma. As for Urbig, he needs to perform as best he can now, so that doubts about his future as the team’s number one can end. Only he can quiet down his critics with good performances.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / DeFodi Images
Recording Date: 14.02.2026
